How Empaths Can Heal From The US Election

If you’re an empath like me, you are feeling the effects of the recent US election right now.

As you already know, the 2016 US election was a non-stop train wreck of nastiness that left the country shocked, fearful, and divided.

As a highly sensitive empath, you not only feel your own emotions related to the US election, you also feel the anxiety, sadness, and anger of others. You feel the collective energy of fear within both your emotional and physical bodies. This creates a kind of emotional overload, which causes various unsettling symptoms.

If you live in North America, you might be experiencing at least one of the below symptoms of empathic emotional overload:

high levels of exhaustion and fatigue that seem out of sync with what is going on in your personal and professional life

persistent nausea, coupled with an unshakeable sense of anxiety

difficulty concentrating, and staying motivated

erratic emotions – one minute you are okay, and the next you are moved to tears for seemingly no reason

cold symptoms, such as a sore throat (emotions have a major impact on our immune system!)

If you are experiencing any or all of the above, know that there is a good reason for this. An entire nation is emotionally shell-shocked right now. Being an empath, you have absorbed more than your share of the bullets. You are dealing with your own confusion and sadness, as well as the intense emotions of everyone around you.

A surprising sensation

Even though I am Canadian, live alone, and can go the whole day without seeing other people, I still feel the waves of intense emotions that are sweeping across North America, and the world right now. This is the first time I’ve ever experienced such a strong physical and emotional reaction to something that is not happening directly to me, or someone I’m close to.

You should know that I did not closely follow the election. I did my best to avoid watching or talking about all the dramas and nastiness that took place over the last 19 months. I did not think I would be so deeply effected by the election; yet, the morning after they announced the US election results, I felt nauseous and anxious the entire day.

At the end of the day, as I sat in the dark doing my daily meditation before bed, I started to cry. And then for the first time in a long time, I prayed.

I suspect that I am not the only highly sensitive person who feels this way. Like me, you might be wondering how to heal and protect yourself from the emotions that are exploding like fireworks all around you.

Here are some tips to heal from the US election:

Separate yourself from the emotions. Recognize that even though these sensations are occurring within you, they are not YOU. Knowing this will help you release what is not yours, and move on.

Spend as much time as possible in nature. Nature is the empath’s primary source of healing and peace. It’s best if you can find a place where there are no other people.

Breathe. Deeply. Let the air and emotions circulate until they evaporate.

Stop feeding the monster. The news, with all its conflict, sensationalism, and violence, is highly upsetting to empaths. It might be tempting to read all the outraging articles, CNN clips, tweets, and Facebook posts about the US election, but it will only make things worse. Take a social media hiatus for a while.

Do your “woo woo” rituals to the nth degree. Empaths are known for being drawn to the metaphysical. There is no shame in loving shamanism, chakras, and sage clearings. Now is the time to dip into your treasure chest of spiritual magic. ?

What now?

Just writing this post has already relieved a great deal of my anxiety related to the US election. I know that hearing from other empaths who can relate to what I’ve shared will do us all good.

Please do share your own thoughts and experiences related to being an empath amidst the election chaos. All I ask is that you keep your opinions about Trump, Hillary, and all the controversy to yourself. I want to keep this a safe, conflict-free place where we can unite over our shared emotions and insights.

Peace & Love,

P.S. Let’s help other empaths who need healing after the US election. If you know anyone who could benefit from reading this post, please do share it. <3

85 Comments

Marina
on November 10, 2016 at 2:33 pm

Great article! It’s also tough because I feel like I’m absorbing the emotions of my family and friends who are on BOTH sides of the debate. I’m not getting involved in online discussions, because debating it will only make me more upset. But as a HSP and introvert, I see and understand everyone’s opinions and feelings. My head feels like a tornado…

Thank you for this article, Michaela. I needed this reminder to get myself out of the firehose stream of everybody’s emotions coming at me, and to retreat to look after myself. I find myself feeling shaky, sick and completely unsettled. It’s time to nurture myself a bit now.

It’s Inauguration day. I have chest pain and tears. I meditated and burned sage. There is not enough to help

Angie Donellan
on November 13, 2016 at 12:08 am

Michaela, thanks so much for taking the time to write and share this. I find comfort, peace & love in your words.
I’m not sure how I will make it through the next four years of this monster as our President. I will not let that stop me from continuing to fight for things that I care so passionately about. I will continue to fight for equality, Justice, peace & love for all!
I also will remember to take time to meditate and and find solace in each day. Thanks again for your kind and beautiful words. Sending lots of love, peace, good vibes & sunshine to you all.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”
Xoxo

I don’t mean this as a criticism at all, but I’ve got to put this out there… I’m shell shocked and not only dealing with my own difficult emotions, but feeling the energy of the nation as well. I’d like to say that calling someone a “monster” – especially on this site which I came to for comfort and connection – only feels like more negative energy. I’m working hard to focus on healing thoughts and energy and, for me, part of that is rising above the energy of conflict and separation. I’m using this as leverage to rise to higher ground and staying connected to the belief that this is a catalyst for greater love and understanding to manifest. I’m working for causes, but refuse to use words like “fight” and “resistance”, choosing instead words like “build” and “overcome”.

I’m pretty new to understanding the INFJ personality. I have a committee in me-and such a range of complex emotions regarding this election, it’d take a long time to describe them all. But for example, the one that drones like a bagpipe in the background almost constantly is: humans suck, we are almost at the tipping point of our planetary self-destructiveness (and that “justifies” my resignation and cynicism at the same old same old political stuff repeating itself over and over, albeit this time with an unprecedented degree of recklessness, viciousness, unpredictability and crassness that does seem to increase as time goes by), another is that left and right in the United States lurch back and forth in a painful unfoldment of planetary evolution and it is exhausting, another says that if you can stand to look at the process (which I can only do if I don’t pay enough time and attention on my own healing and relaxation, which isn’t really good for a sensitive INFJ), there’s a space now for people to try and understand one another (that ever-hopeful INFJ side that lives mostly in my head), and then there’s the physical reality of my lack of energy, time and fortitude to even begin to think about actually communicating with others who don’t share my opinions and views. Which then loops back to the first one I mentioned-cynicism, and despair.

Thank you Michaela for everything you wrote. My daughters and I are all empaths and we are feeling extreme depression. One has been able to get out of it, the other daughter is still suffering, I am a little tiny bit better. I pray for our crazy country.

I have never been so upset, in my life. The injustice and wrongness of it makes my heart bleed. While I agree with everything you said Michaela, we as INFJs are humanitarians at heart, we must not sit back and be idle. We must volunteer and reach out to our fellow humans in a peaceful way.

Hi I’m an empath as well and totally agree with what you said. These days I’ve been getting waves of sadness, anger, DEEP depression, stressfulness and anxiety and it’s so hard it comes on so suddenly and then you can’t get it out and I’m still in school. People see how down I am but I can’t tell them the real reason please give me some tips that help you deal with all the STRESS of the election better! NEED IT MORE than EVER thanks

This article, and all others on the web, dealing with this subject makes me angry. I’m an Empath, a Republican one that supports Trump. While I feel for illegals that want to come here, I also feel more for our citizens that actually deserve help from our country first. Legal is legal, illegal is NOT. Our country cannot be a welfare state for everyone. It can’t! Not to mention, many illegal crossers are NOT good people. They aren’t. Not everyone is good, not everyone can be helped, not everyone wants to be helped. Learn that, it’s true.

I have friends who who I cherish so much, and who live in the US and Canada, so my empathy kicked in, and I was so scared, struggling to contain my emotions… I felt genuine fear. I wanted to get on a plane, and try helping them, even through one hug or through listening, because I felt helpless where I am…
I haven’t slept the entire night, constantly thinking of what’s going to happen…
Beautiful article Michaela, and great tips!

Oh gods, Michaela, you said it so well. I didn’t even look at the news until noon yesterday, then I peeked and confirmed my fears. I am in shock. I am embarrassed, ashamed, stunned, and disbelieving. I spent much of yesterday weeping. I dragged my spouse out for a walk. I still feel nauseous and anxious.

I’m taking time off from Social Media. I’m planning to skip the monthly meeting of my favorite organization on Saturday. I don’t want to talk about it.

I did not believe that more than half of the population of my country was so… I can’t even find the words. So different. So “other”.

I keep reminding myself that I live in California. I’m still feeling deeply suspicious of everyone I see whom I don’t know.My world is rocked.

I cannot THANK YOU enough for this article!! I appreciate your compassion in offering helpful tips! Thank you!! It has been a challenging time living in the US. However, I KNOW this is a blessing in disguise and we will grow from it. The energy or life feels chaotic but we will have clarity again. My struggle has been within allowing and embracing my personal feelings and the desire to let go of expectations in order to feel good or better. I believe we either chose between love or fear when evaluating situations and our thoughts. Im hopeful the fear will subside and love will empower. I am appreciative you took the time to write this article…reading it reminded me that Im not alone! Thank you for doing what you do!!

Man, I live across the pond, and this hit home. I also feel the fallout after the release of tension. Definitely going to stop feeding the beast, as you put it. Cause this constant barrage of ’emotional’ news is addictive, but not good for the mood. Thanks for talking some sense to everyone!

Kwami, I know that I am late to this party, but you just described how I feel, perfectly. It has been a little over 2 years, since he has been in office, and I still can’t shake the feeling! For me, having a so-called president that shows zero compassion or empathy, has got to be the worst living nightmare, I can think of. I can’t even turn the news on anymore. I struggle to maintain any sense of calm, peace, and normalcy. I, also, have become very lonely. Most of the people that I know voted for trump. After seeing their true colors come out, I simply cannot unsee it. Therefore, I isolate myself at home, except for work.

I appreciate the suggestions offered in today’s article but I think that a better idea is to help empaths deal with the effects of the 2016 US Election season, not the 2016 US Election results. It may be that those who voted for a candidate that did not win are experiencing many of the same symptoms of emotional overload that anyone might experience when their candidate loses an election. Empaths among us who did not vote for the current US President likely experienced those very same emotions following the past two elections. By suggesting that your article seeks to help empaths deal with the results of the recent US election is to presume that somehow our entire nation is experiencing all of the horrible emotional experiences that you’ve described in your article. Such a presumption is extremely divisive – not, in very fact, much different from this year’s entire election season itself!

Whereas suggestions for dealing with the trauma of such vicious intercourse between parties, groups and individuals during the past season would most certainly be helpful for so many of us who follow your blog suggesting that it is the results of the election from which we must now find healing for ourselves indicates that there are expectations that you have regarding those who follow your blog. Not all empaths are sorry at the results of the US elections this past Tuesday. Not all empaths are happy with the direction that our country has been heading over the past 8 years during the current presidential administration. It seems to me that you could reach a far broader audience if the political bent of your followers was left out of the process altogether.

As someone who is quite pleased with the recent election results I am, nonetheless, horrified – as an empath and a human being – at the searing and disgraceful political tone during the past election season. In very fact, it has been well over two months since I’ve last watched, listened to or read news or current events. The brutal election process that the US has just been through was the catalyst for my deciding to voluntarily cut out news at least until the election was over. The reality of what empaths must heal from has nothing to do with their political party affiliations but, rather, with the effects of the behavior of anyone who contributed to the embarrassment that was the 2016 election season in this country.

In much the same way that I hope that those who voted for a candidate that did not win (and who of us hasn’t in the past?) I hope that all empaths are able to set aside the unnecessarily political overtones of today’s article and begin working toward the healing that is so deeply necessary – both as US empaths and as US citizens – but not as members or followers of this or that political party as today’s article absolutely implies.

Thank you for your blog and for all of the very useful ideas and information that you share with all of us so regularly. I trust that I speak for many more than myself when I say that it has been of great service in the past in helping me/us to become the person/people that I/we want to be.

You are right, Greg. I came to this realization shortly after publishing the article, and have changed some of the wording accordingly. Thank you for being constructive and thoughtful with your comment. 🙂

I usually look forward to your posts, but this one seems to have assumed a distaste for the results of the election. I understand that empaths feel the emotions no matter who has them, but the article seems to be one-sided. I do sympathize with empaths’ plights (I certainly would not want to be in that position feeling every emotion in the room), but I had a hard time reading this article when it it assumed every empath would disagree with the election results. God bless to all experiencing emotional turmoil right now! I truly pray you feel healing soon. I also hope future articles are less one-sided.

Thank you Greg you took the words right out of my mouth. What bothered me most was the fact that the entire article was about Michaela’s opinion on the candidate that won, but “keep YOUR opinions” to yourself…I’m okay with people voicing their opinions if they OBJECTIVELY look at both sides and are able to give a fact filled assessment of why one is better than the other…Totally ignoring the blatant atrocities committed by the other candidate further lets me know there has been no objectivity at all. I’m an empath and the last 8 years have been absolutely horrible for me and to assume that we all should feel sad at this week’s results is agitating.

Michaela you have always said this is a “safe space” for all people but now I feel you mean this is a safe space only for those who fall in line with “my opinion”. What keeps me sanguine is that, I don’t need a safe space even when I don’t get my way and that in-and-of itself is a win. Being open minded shouldn’t be a one-way street, but reading this reminds me that people who preach tolerance are often not so tolerant or this article would have been written differently. We as a country have a lot of mending to do and there are a lot of people to blame on both sides. I feel let down that the one place left on the internet where I could express myself without judgments is now tainted. I’m okay with people having a difference of opinion where I diverge is when I’m told how I “should” feel and that only these feelings are correct. How I feel about something is filtered through my own mind first, I do not take others feelings and automatically make them my own. I’m glad I still live by the motto of “agree to disagree”; I just wished more people could follow that motto. I operate on facts and those facts dictate how I feel about something not the other way around. People should realize that there are loving people who are happy with the results and articles like this only make an already hostile environment more divisive. If either side really cared about people then everyone would act like athletes at the end of a game…They’d shake hands and be cordial, not start a melee like those who lost are…SIGH!!!

This is all I’m going to say about this. I shared how I felt on an emotional level in response to the election. I never once said who was wrong or right in the matter. I tried my best not to fuel the flames of division, while also remaining true to my own values. I’m a blogger, not a journalist. It is not and never will be my intention to be 100% objective in what I write. My goal is to tell my truth in a way that connects and resonates deeply with certain people. I cannot speak for everyone. I tried my best not to be offensive to those who don’t feel the same way I do, but I was first and foremost speaking in a very subjective way to those who identify on a deep, emotional, soul level with what I have shared. Clearly many do. And I am honestly very proud and humbled that my words have resonated so strongly with so many people, even if an equal amount of people don’t agree. There are plenty of articles written for those with differing perspectives. I encourage anyone who doesn’t identify with this article, to find one that validates how you feel. If it doesn’t resonate with you, it’s not for you.

Wonderfully said Michaela! Absolutely spot on! I couldn’t agree more with what you wrote here. You shared your emotions through this article, while at all times being considerate, thoughtful and speaking honestly from the heart, and your pure understanding radiates through this great article. You should be proud, because this article is a master-piece! 🙂

This unbelievably angry response is the exact reason so many empaths are in absolute agony! I do not believe for one minute any true empath would or could allow themselves to vote for someone with a vile hatred of such large groups of people. If you didn’t watch the last few months of the election and did not investigate each candidate outside of your local news then you are woefully I’ll-informed and should withhold your opinion altogether. And for those who didn’t get their candidate 8 years ago – it did not mean endangering your lives as this outcome has for so many?.

Michaela thank you so much for reminding me that there is still love in the world. ❤️

Anyone that hasn’t read the emotions between the lines here know this, Michaela does the best she can with what she has to work with, she has spoken upon emotions and the the feelings created by everything that is going on. It’s simple she cares deeply about people feel..

I don’t mean any disrespect to anyone, and I’m not speaking for her, this is just my take on this, and my attempt to help anyone that doesn’t agree with her opinions to understand where she’s coming from with this article.

She wrote: You should know that I did not closely follow the election. I did my best to avoid watching or talking about all the dramas and nastiness that took place over the last 19 months. I did not think I would be so deeply effected by the election; yet, the morning after they announced the US election results, I felt nauseous and anxious the entire day. <===== To me she's simply knowing how people are going to feel about the WHOLE process of the elections and the end result, no matter who won. She was simply talking about emotions nothing more. It's what she does, she's a emotional healer that absorbs tons of negative emotions from others often enough and seeks to heal them. What's wrong with that!? We could do a lot more for her, she's enough and very deserving of our love and support, she's added so much value to all our lives.

If you don't like what she has to say or who she is and it's only due to ignorance of what she's about. Michaela doesn't preach hate or condone it. She really is tolerant of many people, she's put up with my shit, and has taken a wait and see approach to my being a thinker. She's learning and growing as a person and I think that's an outstanding character trait.

If you don't know the rules she posted, here it is again: Please do share your own thoughts and experiences related to being an empath amidst the election chaos. <=== NOT YOU POLITICAL VIEWS!! All I ask is that you keep your opinions about Trump, Hillary, and all the controversy to yourself. <==== Enough with the mud slinging!! I want to keep this a safe, conflict-free place where we can unite over our shared emotions and insights. <==== She's only asking about your emotions and insights into your feelings, and that's all she wanted to know….

Michaela laid out the rules of her blog post they were clear to me. She said nothing derogatory, so I don't see where anyone could possibly confuse what she wrote. Please don't project your anger of the politics in the U.S. onto her, she doesn't deserve that.

She's done a lot of good things here, and she still has my support and affection. Michaela did nothing wrong, try to be kinder to her and others, it's about being the bigger person, her post was and adult audience post, if she was acting small she would of attacked people, but she didn't. I thought she handled herself professionally and with tact, I couldn't be more proud of the diplomatic way she handled herself. She has every right to defend her values and in consideration of everyone's feelings she tried her best to include as many of us as she could. I really don't see where as someone that claims they are objective, can take an article and make it so subjective and get angry about it.

What she wrote was merely subjective and was her opinion, it wasn't about you and should not be taken literally as some political fact based commentary, because it wasn't, it was simply how she felt and empathized with how others are feeling, nothing more.

Here on out if someone has a problem with this blog post direct it at me, I can take it because I don't have an opinion on politics. Just reply to my comment here if you have a problem with Michaela, I'll be happy to hear what you have to say and validate you if you feel you've been left out and not included, there are many people that are empaths and HSPs that have differing political views and I feel your pain being an empath and HSP myself and taking a neutral stance on politics but a strong stance on condoning only kind human behavior, my opinions will only be about the behavior of a person or persons regardless of the label attached to identify them.

Keep that in mind when you the reader make any further posts here and just talk about how you feel and your emotions nothing more.

Do try and treat others the way you would like to be treated, it helps to remember that if you want to make the world a better place, and do try and make sure you are not following the hate crowd and doing things that conflict with your morals and are less than virtuous.

I ask each and every one of you that read this blog to do your up most to be the best possible versions of yourselves, this world of ours has enough violence, hate, anger, fear and any other negative emotion you can think of going on in it right now and it's important for us to raise our personal standards and act in more positive ways because emotions are contagious and many people have been infected, and to eradicate this disease we must do and be the opposite of what it feeds on, cut off the food supply and it will die and the world will know more peace. We may not be able to completely cure all forms of negativity, but we can effect change because kindness too is contagious, one act of kindness leads to another, it begins with you….

Thank you and well said, Greg, AP and Ree! I always look forward to reading Michaela’s post but this one felt like I was hit in the gut. I at first was outraged and wanted to break ties with this blog because I felt insulted by what was so lopsided against our newly elected President, and from a Canadian!? I was disappointed politics found its way into my secret world. I had a lot of the same feelings and anxieties she talked about BEFORE the election thinking of a different outcome. My total relief of the outcome (after staying up until 3:30 in the morning) was so huge that I was crying because I felt our country would be safe, come together and be whole again. I felt a righting of the great US ship where others felt a sinking. I know that I have felt an overwhelming undercurrent of hate the past eight years, mostly from the entertainment and news media. Coming from a very big, and very outspoken family, I often keep quiet (and usually not listened to anyways) and have learned over my 50 years not to take things so personally that are beyond what I can control. (Just try to be a libertarian, nature-loving vegetarian person in a family of bible-thumping, meat-eating conservatives–God love’em) I also realize that news media will play off emotions, extracting the perceived negative aspects of a story or person for their own ratings, agenda and hype. We can not, as a society, keep letting the news commentators, social networks, and opinionated blog posts keep us on edge and at each other’s throats. Do not let them tell you how you must feel or think! I am vastly disappointed by our “news” channels in this country. I think they are the main reason for the strife we feel in our country. I am so overwhelmed at the ugliness that people spew if anothers opinion doesn’t align with theirs. Accountability for our own actions and words are a thing of the past.
I know that Michaela only meant to heal. For those that are having a difficult time with our election, I truly hope you find peace. Please remember that each of us are responsible for our own happiness. Don’t be sucked in by all of the negativity and ugliness. One important thing I have learned in my life is there are always different sides to a story. Ever read The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz? That book helped me understand and deal with emotions, my own and others. Don’t let others play a part in your unhappiness or inability to see across the distance to someone of differening opinions. I recently saw a commercial that states “we are more alike than we are un-alike”. So true.

“As someone who is quite pleased with the recent election results I am, nonetheless, horrified – as an empath and a human being – at the searing and disgraceful political tone during the past election season.”

Greg, your response was so perfect that I don’t need to write one. Thank you for such a thoughtful comment…and I agree.

Thank you for this post. Much needed. I haven’t slept well in two nights because of this election. I tried to post something positive to only be scrutinized and told I was offensive. I don’t care who people voted for but the ruthlessness needs to stop.

Thank you for writing this. There are other things in my life right now that are causing me anxiety and heartache, but this election has left me bereft and feeling more than overwhelmed with other people’s emotions. I have been an emotional wreck the past couple of days for no perceivable reason, other than the news yesterday. You mentioned taking a hiatus from social media and I made the decision to do that a couple hours before reading this, so thank you for that affirmation.

I’m in Canada, too, but this whole election mess has really been bothering me. I removed myself from Facebook for several weeks prior to the election and refused to read more than one news article a day, but it still was there, battering me. The night of the election, I could not sleep, and, yes, I’ve been feeling nauseated and ill ever since. Thank you for the assurance that it’s just another empathy thing! I’m not going mad (although I wonder if the world may be….)

Thank you for this… Today has been a whirlwind of emotions for me. Seemed completely random and out of nowhere. One min. Im fine, the next I was all upset. It was directly from reading everything one FB today. It absolutely overwhelmed me and I just burst with emotion. Even unlike me. It felt like I was literally feeling the entire countries emotions. Anger, Hatred, excitement, sadness, confusion, Happiness. Its Just too much for me today, had to shut it down fast. Can’t wait to spend some much need time out in my Gazebo tonight among the stars. Thank you this really made me feel a little less crazy lol.

I’m so glad you wrote this article. I couldn’t quite figure out what was wrong with me. I find myself looking for reassurance and can’t seem to find any. I finally realized I’m going through a grieving process. I am constantly in tears because I have lost a sense of security. I feel I have nowhere to turn to make it better. I must not be in the presence of empaths at work as they are just angry. I feel devastated and lost. This isn’t just an election we lost, I feel as though I have lost some of my belongings or perhaps a family member. That’s the grieving I feel. I’m scared, I’m stunned and somewhat ashamed of my what the majority of this country thinks and feels.
Thank you again for validating my anguish.

Thank you for bringing this timely topic. This relentless, shameful, embarrassing election was despicable . I for one, stopped watching anything related to the election 6 months ago. Just like you stated, I was feeling anxious, hopeless, angry & didn’t like letting these TOXIC people impose their words /actions on me. It’s not over yet. God help us

I cried reading this article. This couldn’t be more true of what I’m feeling and Im not necessarily upset about the outcome. I didn’t sleep Tuesday night, nor last night. Work was a serious struggle. Knowing that I’m not crazy or alone helps a lot. Thanks for this article.

My first reaction to hearing the news of Donald Trump being elected was pure mortification. I went into fight or flight mode. It took me back to the times in my life where I felt paralyzed with fear of the unknown. I went back to bed with my whirlwind of thoughts. I let myself feel whatever wanted to come up. I woke up 2 hours later w/ this overwhelming sense of peace. I felt like a heavy weight had been lifted. I’ve been journaling my thoughts. When I feel myself getting anxious, I start writing it out. I question my feelings….what is this really about? Why am I mad, scared etc? A lot has come up for me (past hurts)…writing it down has helped ease that discomfort. I believe this election has been a big “trigger” for a lot of us. I realize it’s not about Donald Trump or Hilary Clinton…they just triggered something inside of me that I needed to become aware of. So with that, I am grateful. I am now able to take a look at what that is and release it.

That sounds like a very healthy perspective! Thanks for sharing. I’ve been thinking this is what’s really happening & that it seems like a wonderful platform for healing of many old, subconscious wounds, especially related to patriarchy, rascism & capitalism. . all systems that have proven to be destructive & needing to be exchanged for something else.

I am a 16 year old living in the US. I actually followed the election the past few weeks, since in a few years I will be able to vote. I have dealt with people talking about the election for weeks now and starting last week, I have had most the symptoms that you used for emphatic overload. I only thought I was getting sick and didn’t think much else of it until today. Now, I understand that I wasn’t sick and actually experiencing those, well not emotionally healthy, is pretty normal for a highly sensitive empath. Thank you for this post.

This is such a great post, thank you. I am, also, Canadian. I had no idea I would be as affected as what I was, by the outcome. I had a clear favorite in the race, but I didn’t know I would be crushed by the outcome. You mentioned you prayed that night. I didn’t. I was kind of numb and I didn’t feel like meditating, or praying or doing anything I normally do. I started feeling a bit better, today. I have taken long walks, tried to stay checked in to my daily round, and stay close to my dogs. That always helps. I have been reading blogs and posts from some of my favorite people and what I’m getting is that we will, eventually, accept what is. It is what it is. It is our jobs to keep shining our light in whatever way we usually do, and remember that it makes an impact, no matter how small we think it is. Some people don’t even realize that what they do is having an amazing ripple effect on so many others. That is important. I don’t think it’s any big, dramatic movement that will affect change. I believe it is the small things. A lot of small gestures, positive thoughts, courtesy, respect, being checked in, and always knowing that we matter. What we do makes a difference. Thanks, again, for this post Michaela.

This article made so much sense to me after dealing with the intense waves of emotion over the past two days. Yesterday and today I came home from school, where people were expressing all levels of emotion, to the endless social media posts that made my head spin. I didn’t understand why I was so upset, nauseated, overwhelmed, restless, and unproductive, and anxious until I read this post and realized that as usual, I was absorbing all the anxieties from other people. Thank you for this post and giving me something to hold on to 🙂

I’ve actually had to unfollow a lot of groups and people on FB, been personally attacked, and than on top of that have every symptom from your list. I’m disabled to begin with and have had a migraine for days. I don’t subscribe to a tv service and haven’t in years due to this sort of thing. I stand by my vote regardless of how many people have cursed at me from both sides of the border. Spending as much time as I can in either my plant room or in my craft groups. Waits for my country to take a deep breath and release all of the drama.

I discovered fairly recently that I’m an empath. This makes so much sense. I’m over here in Sweden and I’ve experienced all those symptoms as well. I’ve been crying a lot one moment, and the next I’m fine. I’ve had bad anxiety as well. It comes in waves. I’ve also thought about taking a break from social media. I feel a wave of anxiety hit me instantly when I log onto Facebook, so I should probably go with my gut instinct on this one. I feel so alienated from other people right now, many who just keep on living their lives as if nothing has happened, all the while I feel like this election has affected me directly!

I’m not a US citizen – I’m a British cutizen. When I woke up on the morning after the Brexit Referendum I felt my life would never be the same again. The shock of the result nearly 5 months on still leaves me feeling nauseous and angry. I’m also shocked at the effect it has had on me. I didn’t think I would react like this to anything political – just family/friend things only seem to warrant this. It’s like a virus in me. First off,to help myself, I’ve distanced myself from people who don’t think like me. I don’t know if this is healthy but at the moment I have to protect my inner mind from people who share different values to me. Second off, I’m trying to explore the root of why I feel so angry. Reading reading reading all Summer -writers / journalists I admire so that I can calmly meet people with different values and explain to them why I feel so deeply that their views are not acceptable to me and not get upset. I will not tolerate intolerance any more. I’m nowhere near back to normal. And as one commenter said and I feel as he or she does that it’s the lack of insight some folk have about how upset you are. Thank you for letting me share. It’s been therapeutic.

I’ve been an empath since I was a child however, I really didn’t understand what that mean until a couple of years ago. Luckily I’ve been able to identify the huge overwhelming feelings of despair and anger and sadness of this week were not all mine. Doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easier to deal with but at least I know I’m not crazy.
I don’t think people understand how horrifying this election result has been on many many people. As a person who is very involved in the LGBT community, this new administration is a direct threat to our lives. I have black friends who for them feel like hatred and violence has now been approved of because of the examples set forth by the new elected President and Vice President. And the violence is already happening. So for a large group of people it is more than just shucks, my candidate didn’t win. It is OMG I might die and as an empath that’s some heavy sh*t to be feeling.

Hello – thank you so much for this post. Validation of the reality of the world state is truly important – Your tips are wonderful, reminding me to staying within and clearing my internal fears is the way to go. Thank you for your tips. The (MY) inner hopelessness and powerlessness has to be reviewed and I have to let go and accept.

All the best to you and your readers.

Wishing everyone peace of mind. Wishing everyone blessings in their life.

Thank you, Michaela, for this article. I am experiencing these feelings, fears and reactions and it is important for me to see I am not alone. The hatred, nastiness and violence is so overwhelming. Thank you for your words and encouragement.

Thanks for the article. I decided this morning not to watch the news and disconnect from facebook and other sources for a while. I am not great with meditation so I tend to do better with my piano playing and drawing and painting, and working out especially. A trip to the gym is great right now for me.
I think I’ve neglected the empathic psychic parts of my soul over the years and I should put the time in to better understand my gifts (or curse depending on perspective) and put some time into training and nurturing it and separating myself. It really is easy to get lost in the energy around you.
It doesn’t help that this election has empowered people to say and do hateful things to others. I was walking to class yesterday when I heard some kids saying some cruel things about women and it upset me to the point I couldn’t concentrate on my economics test. I went into the art classroom to work on my sculpture. I had my hand in the bucket of plaster when I broke down and cried from it.
It doesn’t help that my empathic abilities have since I was a child reached internationally around the globe so its not just local energy overload. Its the combined energy of everyone and everything on the planet. I had an astral projection experience once as a kid too which made me realize how connected I am to the world and how passionate I am about other people and culture and travel.
I need training and understanding of my gifts and I need some time off from this election. It has been horrible. Energy will settle down. And my family just needs to understand I have to withdraw and take me time to heal. It’s too bad this is the busiest point of my college semester on top of that. But Thanksgiving is coming up and I will have some extra time off because of it.

Thank you so much for this article. I have been an emotional and physical mess this past week. I have every symptom you posted. I think I will have to go off FB for a time and tomorrow a long walk is needed. Before reading this I thought that’s doom was coming now I realize what it really is.

Thank you so much for this post. The day after the election-I sat in my office with headphones, to insulate myself from those close. I was reeling with sadness and fear and hopelessness. I will definitely try your suggestions.

Great article Michaela! Beautifully expressed, and I think it genuinely captures what many people have been feeling on all sides during this painfully long and drawn-out ordeal.

I felt a lot of the same emotions during the federal election that happened a couple of years ago here in Canada. What makes me most sad during these times is how much more accepting people are of dehumanizing language and tactics towards others when they want to win political arguments. I find it very enervating to watch this happen on such a large scale, and it happens on all sides.

That’s also why I love all that you’ve done with Introvert Spring, because it brings people together from all walks of life and every corner of the globe, as this article has clearly demonstrated. In today’s harsh and opinionated world, your empathy and honesty is a sanctuary for so many people, and that’s really what matters the most. You do some amazing work 🙂

I’m also in Canada and felt physically ill from the results, and have been in a deep funk. I need to drag myself away from the media about it and do some self-care. Thank you for helping me to have insight into my struggles.

I donated blood yesterday and am doing research on what organizations I should donate to in order to keep our fight alive. I think donating, volunteering, and random acts of kindness are very healing in times like these.

There is a bigger picture unfolding here as well. There is a collective healing transpiring. The universe is saying not so fast to everyone. Slowing down and time in nature are crucial to reconnect to our true spirit which is love. Many have canceled their subscription to cable TV and newspapers and are now finding the answers within. The planet is waking up collectively and realizing it was all an illusion to begin with and yet another opportunity to let go.

INFJ Transguy in Ohio here. I’m having a terrible time quelling my anxiety this week. I know in the long run things will be ok, but lots of my friends are panicking, and rightfully so. I’ve had several friends already experience harassment this week and at least one has been assaulted. And I’m afraid for my own safety despite my incredible support system.

I feel so stuck in the middle because no one cares for my optimism right now. I’m trying to be the voice of reason and comfort but it’s difficult to express the right words when I have lingering doubts that I know I’m absorbing from others.

Thank you, Michaela, for reminding me to center myself daily.

I’m currently organizing an INFJ support group in my city to help each other cope with all the negativity. I hope we can help each other get through this!

Michaela, I sincerely appreciate your consideration and thoughtfulness in writing this post. This week has been terrible. My husband (an INFP) and I (INFJ) have both been overwhelmed emotionally with the tidal wave of emotion that has swept our nation (I say nation because while I know the US election has impacted many across the world, I’m not certain to what extent my emotional antennae picks up on feeling vibrations). The cocktail of emotions has been unsettling at best and at worst has created true visceral reactions.

Thank you for your helpful suggestions. I was pleased to realize that I’ve already employed most of the suggestions you offered (I’ve been striving to practice more positive coping methods) and appreciative for a reminder of the few I haven’t tried.

I am very new to accepting that I am and calling myself an empath, and it took me over a week to realize why I felt like I’ve been on an emotional roller coaster. I was so happy to find your blog and I think your words are genuine, respectful, and helpful. While I have learned to ground myself with one or two people, dealing with a large number of people’s emotions is overwhelming. I have felt the vindicated gloating, fear, hate, happiness, sadness, bullying, intolerance, shock, and anger. Emotions that are coming from both sides of the election results, as my life is surrounded by people on both sides. I will regroup and implement your suggestions that have worked in the past. Thank you for helping redirect me.

Thank you so much. Never before in my years of voting, watching campaigns come and go did I ever feel this way. I am a pretty happy person most of the time and now yikes, deep despair. So I will take your advice and work this out. Seek out my own joy even if they are in little tiny bits for now. I sometimes imagine myself in a star trek like transporter tube, clear, safe and only I can extend a hand out, no one can reach in. unless I let them. Try it it might work for you too. Again, thanks for your article.

Thank you for this article! I have been feeling overtaken at what is happening and the ugliness that has been uncovered. We have to believe that peace, goodness and kindness will win. By being silenced and overwhelmed, we cannot help ourselves and each other to heal. I too am a Canadian and feeling the effects. Thank you for the words of wisdom.

I am an American empath with additional psychic abilities that I try to ignore and I have been in hell. I predicted this would be a disaster eighteen months ago or longer while everyone else told me that I was crazy. I haven’t been able to sleep since the election. Thank you for the insightful post.

This post was comforting because I have been doing what I can to avoid news contact for the most part, but not being able to shut it all out. I refuse to discuss this situation any more as I find it draining. When I was pregnant and unemployed 7 years ago and on the verge of homelessness, I did not feel as dispondent as I do now. I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling this way. I don’t feel so alone now.

Than you many times over. This morning I searched the Internet for something that would help me cope better. I am thankful I found your blog. I shared it with Pantsuit Nation and another election activist group and on my timeline. No response yet on my timeline, but many positive comments on the groups from people who thought it was only them, or they were going crazy, and now know they are sane and offer something others can benefit from, and that we need to take care of ourselves. Here is what I wrote…

Thoughts on how we cope with current events…

This election affects many of us profoundly and deeply and we cope in different ways. It is personal to our temperament and life experience and our spirituality. Some of us are upset and shocked at what is happening and still function well. Others of us feel the election’s impact, its effect on people and our way of life, and on the security of the world, in our core being to the point that it interferes with everyday life.
While we all share many commonalities, each of our experiences and response is unique and to be respected.

What I’m getting at is I am a Highly Sensitive Person and an empath. If you are one, too, you may be struggling more emotionally and physically than those around you. It isn’t a depression or a case of giving up, but the natural way HSPs process and respond to the world. Many of us have been told we are too sensitive or we think or feel or worry too much. I think of us as the canaries alerting others to the fluctuations and deep meanings of life’s changes.

In my attempt to feel better, I searched the Internet this morning and found this post on what HSP/empaths can do to survive our current reality. It’s a good read both for sensitives and the people they live and work with. We aren’t weak by any means! We are committed to action but are just reeling emotionally and may need a little extra TLC and patience. Each of us has a purpose, a role, something personal to contribute, and we complement each other as we try to do right and good things. Love and peace to all. – Liz

Thanks for sharing these tips. The recent election season and the results have really negatively affected my mental health and just ability to not fall into negative thinking & feeling which I feel is eating away at me. It is hard for me to not be outraged or just sad thinking about this past year and what the future might hold. I am struggling with being informed and sane at the moment because the more news that I consume (even from credible sources) the more that I feel overwhelmed by it all. I will try these tips and see if they help!

Michaela, Thank you so much for your article. Here it is 49 days after the election, and my anxiety and depression have continued to flow. It hasn’t been constant, but fairly steady. I appreciate the tips on how to cope.

I know that most of this is not mine, but the collective fear and anxiety of others. But it surrounds me and is hard to separate from. I haven’t connected with other HSPs for a long time. It feels good to be here again.
Thank you.

Wow! I came across this article in a search for something else. I live in Canada and it’s amazing that even from so far away, i could feel all the mixed emotions from the trump election. Empaths, we’re truly amazing people! And I hope everyone that could feel the election closer to home has taken the available information and healed well!

I think that, for many females (empaths and non), this election has also shaken us to the core because it has triggered our PTSD. Many of us recognize this archetypal male figure from our past experiences of sexual assault, and now he has more power than anyone in the country. There is no denying that he is a bully. There are those who (I guess) feel that we need a bully to protect us, but for the rest of us, THE essential narrative from all of our childhood fairy tales has been blown apart: the bully is not supposed to win in the end, yet he did.

This is wonderfully written and good advice, however, I’ve found as time wears on and I, as a progressive, liberal empath living in the USA, it gets harder every day. Knowing the suffering he has caused. Knowing we (US citizens) are frowned upon throughout the world…it just isn’t easy to disconnect anymore.